In English, "despite the cold, he runs every day" needs just one connector. In Mandarin, 尽管 (jǐnguǎn) — Despite / Even Though (Stronger Concession) demands two: you introduce the obstacle with 尽管, then you must pair it with 还是, 但是, or 可是 in the second clause to show the surprising result.
The structure is: 尽管 + Clause A, Subject + 还是/但 + Clause B. Here is the key sentence you will work with:
尽管天气很冷，他还是每天去跑步。
(jǐnguǎn tiānqì hěn lěng, tā háishi měitiān qù pǎobù.)
"Despite the cold weather, he still goes running every day."
尽管 introduces the real obstacle — cold weather — and 还是 carries the unexpected outcome: he keeps running anyway. Drop either piece and the sentence breaks.
This is a live conversation lesson: you talk out loud with AI teacher Mei Lin in real time, not type exercises. Mei Lin corrects your grammar and pronunciation in the flow of conversation and adapts to your level. The lesson targets this single pattern and takes about 10 minutes. You will describe what you or someone else did despite obstacles — still going to work when sick, enjoying a trip despite terrible weather — until 尽管 feels natural in your own speech.
You can try the first lesson free, no credit card required. For more HSK 4 lessons, explore the hub page. When you are ready to write the characters by hand, use the free printable Chinese worksheet generator to build handwriting practice. After this lesson, continue with "Demanding Real Answers," another HSK 4 live lesson on 到底 (dàodǐ), or try "Dual Descriptions," a lesson on 既...又 (jì...yòu).
Unlike English, where "despite" stands alone, 尽管 (jǐnguǎn) — Despite / Even Though (Stronger Concession) must be paired with 还是, 但是, or 可是 in the second clause. The structure is 尽管 + Clause A, Subject + 还是/但 + Clause B. Without the second connector, the sentence is incomplete.
You will talk out loud with Mei Lin about situations where someone pushed through an obstacle — going to work while sick, running in cold weather, enjoying a trip despite bad conditions. Mei Lin corrects your use of 尽管 and the required second connector in real time, so you build the habit of using both pieces together.
This is an HSK 4 grammar lesson focused on 尽管 (jǐnguǎn). If you have finished HSK 3 and are moving into HSK 4, it is a good fit. Mei Lin adapts to your level during the conversation, so if the pattern is new, she will guide you through it step by step.
Yes — use the free Chinese worksheet generator to create printable handwriting sheets. Ready-made packs cover HSK 1–3 words, so for this HSK 4 lesson you can build your own practice set with the characters from the key sentence.